Botho, UNIVEN hail Exchange programme

SHARE | Wednesday, 27 July 2016 | By Othusitse Tlhobogang

A group photo at the sending off ceremony at Botho University

In a bid to position its graduates for the global market Botho University (BU) has entered an exchange programme agreement with the University of Venda (UNIVEN) from Thohoyandou, South Africa. The exchange programme will see BU students going to study at in South Africa for a semester and those from UNIVEN also coming into Botswana. Botho University received five students from UNIVEN on Tuesday. They will be studying at the university this coming semester. In return five of Botswana students left the country on Wednesday to start their studies at University of Venda. This is the second batch of students the two schools exchanged since the programme started.

BU Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor Lucky Moagi said Botho University values partnerships hence the exchange programme. Moagi said the school has seen growth over the years because of such international partnerships. He said the main aim of the exchange programme is to give students the opportunity to have a global experience while preparing them for the global market. “Students are not only trained for local markets; through the exchange programme they get the chance to have a feel of international experience,” explained Moagi. He said the programme promotes cultural exchange among the participants.

He said since the programme is very important, they are in talks with UNIVEN to see how to grow it. Currently only students pursuing Bachelor of Science (Honours) in computing programme are involved with the exchange programme. However, Moagi said they are looking to include other students from other programmes. A representative from University of Venda Ndabelihle Soganile applauded the exchange agreement, saying it is something worth continuing. “This programme is very important as it helps to mould students into better future leaders with international experience. We should therefore continue to see how we can grow this exchange programme for it to benefit more students,” he said.

One of the students, Martin Ntlhe – who took part in the first batch of exchange students to UNIVEN – thanked both institutions for the programme. Ntlhe said through the programme they were able to learn a lot of things they did not know before going to the University of Venda. He narrated that their stay there was amazing. “We had a very great time. UNIVEN has great lecturers, top class resources and the environment is very good,” said Ntlhe.